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BOOKS R E C E I V E D

Morris, C. - - Academic Press dictionary o f science and technology. 1 vol. (22 x 28 cm), 2432 + xxxii pages. Academic Press, London, 1992.

This highly awaited dictionary, four years in the making, is probably the most comprehensive of its kind. Over 2,400 pages long, it covers 124 scientific fields, from Acoustical Engineering to Zoology, with definitions written by a prominent group of experts and reviewed for accuracy by a distinguished Board of Advisors. Via a computerized data base, the 124 separately developed lists were merged into a single alphabetical list, with each entry followed by the name of its pertinent field in italics. And computer- ized in-house typesetting facilities give the book a cer- tain "hot-off-the-press" appeal which hopefully will withstand the test of time.

One distinctive feature is the presence of "win- dows" for each of the disciplines, wherein a brief overview written by a recognized leader is offered. Other attractive features include up-to-date color plates (one would like to see more) and a number c: black and white photos and drawings. The abbrevi- ations found throughout the dictionary are especial- ly useful to editorial staffs and to researchers preparing scientific pzpers. And the definitions, which are, after all, the "raison d 'etre" of ihis work, are concise and to the point.

As the Editor, Christopher Morris, writes in his Preface, "we do not presume to describe our diction-

ary as a complete description of the vocabulary of contemporary science". But with a listing of 133,000 words, the efforts of the publisher are to be commended. Designed for use by practicing scien- tists and professionals in all scientific fields, it will be a valuable reference tool for academic, institution- al and corporate libraries, not to mention the editorial offices of scientific journals. Dictionary buffs in general will take real pleasure in leafing through it.

J. Bram

Richard, C. & Kiredjian, M. - - M6thodes de laboratoire pour I'identification des bacilles d Gram ndgatif a~robies stricts (Laboratory methods for the identification of stricdy aer- obic Gram-negative bacilli) (Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Flavobacterium, Acinetobacter, Brucella, Bordetella). 1 vol. (16,5×23 cm), 319pages. CLRE, Institut Pasteur, Paris 1992. Prix: 285 Fr.

White, M.D.,-Re~Jveny. S. & Shafferman, A. - - Biologicals from recombinant microorganisms and animals cells. Proceedings of the 34th Oholo Conference Eilat, Israel 1990. 1 vo!, (17 x 24,5 cm), 567 + xiv pages. VCH Verlags- gesel lschaf t , Weinheim, 1991. Pr ice : DM 280.00/£ 104.00.